Importing a classic or European car to Australia from New Zealand is a short, well-worn route, but on a valuable car the taxes matter as much as the freight. Here's the full landed cost, component by component.
The car price
Already includes our margin, with no separate service fee on top. The listing price is the car, delivered to freight.
Freight
Tasman shipping into Brisbane, Melbourne, Port Kembla or Fremantle. RoRo for value, container for protection (recommended on higher-value classics). The import cost calculator gives an indicative figure to each port in AUD.
Duty, GST and, the big one, LCT
5% import duty and 10% GST apply, plus Luxury Car Tax at 33% of the amount above the threshold (AU$80,567 fuel-efficient / AU$71,849 other, 2026). On a valuable European classic, LCT is frequently the single largest cost, so plan around it first.
Asbestos, biosecurity and rego
Add asbestos certification (see asbestos for classics), the DAFF biosecurity wash, and your state registration to finish the total.
For the process, see how to import a European classic to Australia, or our exotic import guides by region.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to import a classic car to Australia?
The landed cost is the car price plus freight, 5% import duty, 10% GST, Luxury Car Tax if above the threshold, asbestos certification, biosecurity and state registration. Importify does not add a separate service fee. On higher-value classics, LCT is often the largest single line, so run your numbers in the calculator.
How much is Luxury Car Tax on an imported classic?
LCT is 33% of the amount above the threshold, AU$80,567 for fuel-efficient vehicles or AU$71,849 for others in 2026. On a valuable European classic it can add tens of thousands, so it's the number to plan around first.
Is importing a classic from New Zealand cheaper than from Europe?
Usually. The Tasman freight leg is short and cheap versus shipping from Europe, many NZ classics are right-hand drive from new (no conversion), and the documentation is in English. You also get to inspect the actual car before buying.
